Seamen's Mission and Hiring Hall - Spring

[Dzrg]

The First Brightening in month of Immanis, in the Season of Spring, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne.


SEAMEN'S RESCUE MISSION
AND
HIRING HALL

The sign was in front of the long old building that had a new tin roof, Though the roof was new, the metal was of various shades and shapes. Obviously, whoever had the job done, cared most for frugality and just keeping out the rain and wind. Aesthetics were not much of a concern.

From inside the building came the pleasant aroma of a Meat Stew. The Stew Pot was always on. A newcomer would be greeted by a female Dwarf with a black bonnet atop her red hair. A bright red beard covered her chin. The rest of her attire was black.

Her attitude was no nonsense and she would not tolerate foul language within her hearing. She was a fine respectable female. Salty language was used only when she was out of ear shot.

This operation was originally funded by Dzrg. Later there was additional funding provided by the Archprelatess.

There was alway food available and when it was served, there would be some preaching by the one remaining Priest in Inperia accompanying it.

Over to the side was a Hiring Table manned by an Old Salt. This was for Merchant Seamen. Not far from it was another table. At this on the Seaman seemed rough in appearance. He was hiring for Ships of Imperia Rescue and Salvage. These individuals were expected to have fighting skills. Rumour had it that Imperia Rescue and Salvage were Pirates. Of course the Priest never heard any such comments.

From time to time, the Harbour Master, Dzrg would visit for reasons of his own. His visits were usually with the Priest

[Uta O'Fuarain]

16 Ponitus Era XIV PF

Uta walked down the street until she reached the odd looking building with the hodge podge tin roof. Opening the door she caught a wiff of cooking stew. It smelled good, but feeding her face was not the reason for her visit. She needed work.

She looked over the two tables and approached the second table. On her journey out of Prime she was told that they hired those who could fight. Her sailing experience was considerably less than her fighting experience, which, she thought wryly, wasn't all that extensive either. Still, she needed a job.

"Serale. I'm looking for work." She said in her customarily blunt manner. She wasn't one for chatting, it was mostly a waste of time, and she didn't feel like wasting any time.

[Dzrg]

The sailor from Imperia Rescue and Salvage watched the human woman as she looked over the two hiring tables for seamen. A slight smile crossed his face when she came over. There was always room for someone in the outfit. The more ships they manned, the more of the sea they would cover. She got right to the point, "Serale. I'm looking for work".

Uta got appraised from head to toe. Most of the seamen in Imperia Rescue and Salvage were men. Much of the work required strength that most females did not have, however there was work where agility was the important factor so there were quite a few women on the ships. It was mostly a matter of attitude. Aggresiveness could make up for some shortcomings.

He decided that there might be enough potential in the woman to take her on. "Tell me now lass, what shipboard experience do ya have? What kind 'o weapons can ya wield? How would ya do in a fist fight and grappling with a man; would ya run or would ya stand and fight?"

[Uta O'Fuarain]

Uta appraised the man behind the desk, as he appraised her. He looked like an old salt. She looked him in the eye and answered his questions in the order they were asked.

"I worked passage on a ship from prime. It was mostly deck ape work, scrubbing and climbing, line handling, following orders. My prime weapon is the short sword, and I've been trained to dual wield them." She reached back and indicated the two short swords that were secured across her back. They weren't pretty blades, but they were well worn and well cared for.

At his last question her eyes narrowed and took on a frosty air and her lips thinned out into a grimace. The muscle in her jaw bunched and worked before she answered. Whatever he said, he had apparently hit a button and it was apparent that her rage was only held in check by force of will. "I would fight. I would fight until I won. I'm not weak and I'm fast. I'm stronger than many men my size." This was true. She was strong and fast. And she never fought fair.

[Dzrg]

The sailor listened to what Uta had to say and then he nodded. "Good enough, you got a billet aboard Black Dolphin. That gets ya a hammock and a a couple of hooks for hanging your sea bag and ditty bag. Ya get three squares a brighting in the Crew's Mess and a measure of grog once each afternoon. Ya pay is a percentage of what Black Dolphin salvages."

He then handed her a small wad of currency and said, "Ya get a sign on bonus of 50 crows." The sailor pointed northwesterly, "Go over to the Tattered Sails Tavern and talk to Sakura. Tell her ya from Black Dolphin and ya want ta sail with her on the voyage she's setting up. Be a good way to see is ya worth keeping. When ya finish that voyage then ya come to Black Dolphin.

"Now move ya butt over there and sign up with Sakura."

[Uta O'Fuarain]

Uta nodded at the man and took the bag he offered. She felt the sliding of coins inside it. She had precious few of those at her disposal and was glad to get this. Glad too, she was for the work. A place to sleep and eat, that was a start. A percentage of the salvage was vague, but... Again - it was a start.

"Aye aye." She said simply and without elaboration. That said it all: I understand and I will obey.

Securing the bag of coins she turned and left the building, heading off to the tavern that she had been to the day before, wondering who Sakura was and where they were bound.

[Dzrg]

2nd Brightening of the First Cycle of the Month of Kalendrys in the season of Winter; Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum.


Dzrg entered the Mission, nodded to those he knew and headed for the young Priest who ran the place in Mistress Bethel Beanhopper's absence. Dzrg took the papers out of the pouch and rechecked them.

One provided for 50% of the profits from Imperia Chandlery to be conveyed to Bethel's account in the Bank of Aylyria at the end on each season. The other provided for 50% of the profits from Imperia Ship Fitting and Repair to be conveyed to Bethel's account in the Bank of Aylyria at the end on each season.

The Orc then handed the papers to the Priest and said, "Ya be sure ta give dese ta Mistress Bethel when she returns".